STEM educationYoung students compete at the Sea Level Measurement Device Design competition
Global warming is bringing about a rise in the mean sea level, and this increases the risk of coastal flooding brought by storm surges during the passage of tropical cyclones. Two-hundred young students – from 4th grade to junior high — from twenty-five primary, secondary, and international schools designed and produced sea level measurement devices to compete for various prizes in the Sea Level Measurement Device Design Competition held last Sunday at the University of Hong Kong.
An exhibition and award presentation ceremony for the Sea Level Measurement Device Design Competition were held Sunday (May 3) at Loke Yew Hall, the University of Hong Kong. The competition, funded by the Knowledge Exchange Fund of the University Grant Committee, was jointly organized by the Hong Kong Observatory, the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong Meteorological Society.
A Hong Kong Observatory release reports that the competition is the first of its kind in Hong Kong with a primary objective to enhance the interest and knowledge of the younger generations in meteorological instrumentation and the application of information technology. Global warming is bringing about a rise in the mean sea level, and this increases the risk of coastal flooding brought by storm surges during the passage of tropical cyclones. It is thus important to enhance general public awareness about sea level changes.
Over 200 primary 4 to secondary 6 students from twenty-five primary, secondary, and international schools designed and produced sea level measurement devices to compete for various prizes in the junior and senior categories, including the Most Innovative Sea Level Measurement Device Award, the Most Attractive Sea Level Measurement Device Award, the Most Accurate Sea Level Measurement Device Award, and the Best Presentation Award. From November to December 2014, a series of talks, workshops, and visits were arranged for the students to enhance their knowledge of the impact of sea level changes and the principles behind the various sea level measurement methods.
The assistant director of the Hong Kong Observatory, Sharon Lau, was impressed by the creativity of the students. She said, “Given the challenges in sea level measurement which are new to the students, the students should be applauded for their creativity and enthusiasm in coming up, within just a few months, with so many new designs for devices that are both practical and reliable.”
The associate dean of Engineering at the University of Hong Kong, Professor Francis Lau, praised the students for their creativity and talent in producing different kinds of sea level measurement devices. On the evidence of the meticulously designed and tested methods, the well-integrated hardware and software, and the excellent presentation skills, he said he was confident that the students would become the engineers and scientists of the next generation.
The vice-chairman of the Hong Kong Meteorological Society, Dr. Li Ping-wah, said, “The judges are very much impressed by the creativity the students have shown in the competition. Some of the devices, after appropriate tuning and polishing, have the potential to be turned into practical instruments suitable for real-life operations. The judges are really proud of Hong Kong students’ efforts.”
The list of awards for the Sea Level Measurement Device Design Competition may be found here.
